Upcoming Global Health Trips

Albuquerque Area Indian Health Service

A collaborative agreement has been made between the Albuquerque Indian Health Service and WellSpan York Hospital. Zuni Pueblo is one of the oldest inhabited Native American Villages in the US, estimated to be 800-900 years old. It is high desert, located 2 1/2 hours from Albuquerque. The Zuni Comprehensive Community Health Center is a Public Health Service hospital that provides care to the Zunis, Navajos, and others living in the surrounding area. THis rotation will provide you with an opportunity to work in a variety of settings, including outpatient clinics, the emergency room, walk-in clinics, inpatient, and obstetrics. This is a 3-4 week rotation that can be scheduled based on availability at the health center.

Contact: Rebecca Bak MD MPH Rebecca.Bak@ihs.gov 505-782-7541

Ghana

The Apam, Ghana trip has occurred annually since 2006 to a small fishing village in the gold coast of Africa. The trip started in Aldersgate Methodist Church, and Building Solid Foundations 501c was then established by Dr. Seth Quartey and his wife, Grace Quartey. This trip has very personal connections, as both are from Ghana. Members of the team work in Apam Catholic Hospital for medical and surgical clinic with nurses going out into the community for screening clinics. Most common surgeries are hysterectomy for fibroids, thyroidectomy for goiters and hernia repairs. It is a very busy surgery schedule with up to 200 cases per trip. All surgery cases are prescreened, and team members only see patients to be sure they are in agreement. The vast majority of the time is operating. The medical team cares for hypertensions, diabetes, asthma and many infectious diseases including malaria, which is endemic in the area, tetnus and typhoid. Water borne disease is still a major killer in the area. In addition to the health care team, there is a non-medical team. There has been a close connection between Rotary Club of York and Apam Rotary Club, and they are putting toilets in schools, as sanitation is a major health risk. This is an annual trip that occurs in September.

Guatemala

This is a faith-based medical mission trip also sponsored by Living Word Community Church (LWCC). The clinics are set up in remote villages outside of Guatemala City, the medical camp is two days and provides primary care, dentistry and eye glasses. Since outreach is in a rural area, sleeping bags are required. The trip duration is a total of five days; departure is on a Thursday with return on a Monday. The trip occurs in July, October and February. A Church in Maryland also sponsors this trip in May. Team size is 18 to 24 medical and nonmedical members. Team members will work alongside Guatemalan doctors and translators of both Spanish and indigenous language. Spanish language skills are a plus.

Honduras

The MAMA Project is a development project focusing on the educational, health, and nutritional needs of Honduran children. It began in 1987 as a partnership between women's groups in Pennsylvania and Honduras. MAMA stands for Mujeres Amigas Miles Apart (Women Friends Miles Apart). MAMA advocates for abandoned, malnourished children. They have participated in mass Vitamin A programs in efforts to prevent blindness and death from infectious disease. They also participate in deworming programs. Medical and Dental brigades are sent to villages. You can read more at www. MAMAProject.org.

India

A new relationship with S. J. Patel Trust Hospital in Paliyad, Gujarat India, this is a two-week non-faith based mission and occurs in either October or March of every year. The experience includes primary care, inpatient, obstetrics and the opportunity for post-operative care. Shadowing opportunities are available for general surgery and cataract surgery. Two days of the trip are dedicated to outreach in an area that has little to no medical access. Team size is three to five members.

For WellSpan York Hospital residents, some funding assistance for global health travel may be available. Please contact Dr. Nancy Nagib, Co-Director of the Center for Global Health Education at nnagib@wellspan.org for more information.